Signal holder for indexes



May 31, T B, CLARK 1,860,804

SIGNAL HOLDER FOR INDEXES Filed Sept. 17, 1928 I5 I 3 I if \WMEEEHE'EEEM'ESEWBEHH. fl-IQQGQQ (as 0.960 QQOQQQ-QiQXQ Patented May 31, 1932 unrran s'r r s THOMAS :B. CLARK, or HAsBnoUox HEIGHTS, NEW

RAND INC., 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., CORPORATION OF DELAWARE SIGNAL HOLDER. r03 'mnnxns Application filed September 17, 1928. Serial No. 306,507.

This invention. relates to signal holders for indexes.

In telephone exchangesv it is customary to use a series of index strips of relatively long '5 and narrow form having the end portions engaged underthe flanges at the sides of an index panel, so that the strips are arranged in end to end .relation, and independently detachable from the panel. In a particular 19 type of index systems used in telephone exchanges known as centralized intercepting records thesestrips are employed for indexing the subscribers to telephones, particularly those having party lines, while a series of other but similar strips are utilized for receiving information relative. to the condition of the telephone service for adjacent index strips. g V7 The present invention is directed, to improvements in these centralized intercepting records by the provision of a special signal holder having a new and special combination in association with the index strips in a panel for-conveying information relative to said index strips ina different manner than has heretofore been used.

The invention further comprehends the provision of a special type of index signal holder formed from a strip of material in an economical manner, for receiving a plurality of index signals, so that. one holder maybe associated with a group of index stripsto removably receive said signals for indicating the condition of certain information with respect to the index matter on the associated strips. The index file is further improved. by segregating the index strips into groups, and by eliminating the use of a large number of associated strips, thereby providing for an increase in thecapacity of thefile. I

' The invention includes numerous other features relating to the combination of the new signal holder with the index strips and the file, in addition to special'features residing in the construction of a signal holder, all of which are more particularly pointed out in the following detailed description and claims, directed to a preferred form of the invention, it being understood, however, that various changes inthe relation and association of the several parts, together with the construction of a signal holder, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope L of the invention as herein set forth.

In the drawings forming part of this application,

Fig. 1 is a perspectiveof a conventional type of index panel illustrating two groups 7;

of index strips of a conventional form well known in the art, and showing the new signal holder in associated relationtherewith.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken online 22 of'Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa front elevation .of the signal holder shown on an enlarged scale.

i Fig. 4 is a sectionalview-taken approximately on line 44 of Fig. 3 and shownon asubstantially enlarged scale. I

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Fig.

3 showing the signal holder substantially enlarged. a p i r Fig. 6 is a perspective showing one ofthe An index panel 'is indicated generally at- 1, which is any of the usual types well'known signals adapted for use in the signal holder.

JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 REMINGTON r posite side edges in the usual manner forming channels to receive the ends of themdex strips 3. Theseindex strips are usually formed of thin, narrow, elongated strips which may beflexed to insert the endsunder the flanges 2. normally retains them in flat relation against the panel 1 whilethe edges of adjacent strips engage one another in the manner shown in 'F1' g. 1 sothat all of the strips will be retained in visible relation on the panel. A suitable indexfor the panel is indicated at/l so that a desiredindex strip 3 may be. referred to by the useof this index 4 where a series of panels are used to form an index unit.

When the index strips 3 are used in a centralized intercepting record, they usually contain information relative to the names and telephone numbers of subscribers of the telephone company using the index, so that certain information maybe recorded on the The resiliency of thefstrips is inclined forwardly as shown in Fig. 5..

' readily grasped with the fingers for remov strip from which this a series of signal receiving pockets. signal receiving pockets extendtransversely portion 7, this index panel relative to the service of each signed for signalling information relative to certain subscribers shown by the index strips in the panel for the information of the operators using this index. For this purpose the index strips 3 are divided into groups of predetermined numbers, and a signal holder 5 is associated with each group of strips. 1

The signal holder 5 is formed of astrip of metal or other suitable material which is relatively thin and adapted to hold its shape and yet have suflicient inherent resiliency that it may be flexed for insertion or removal from the panel 1; :and at-the same time becapable of normally lying fiat against the panel 1 when inserted into its position between adjacent groups of index strips. The signal holder is formed is folded longitudinally intermediate its side edges as indicated at 6 to form a front por- .tion 7 and a back portion 8 which is wider than the front portion. These portions 7 and 8 of the signal holder are spaced apart in parallel relation as illustrated in Figs. 4-. and :5, while tiehback portion 8 is formed with a series of transversely extending inwardly directed beads 8' arranged in spaced parallel relation for dividing the holde rfilnto ese of the strip and have an entrance opening 9 shown in Fig. 5 at the free edge of the front front portion. being formed with a series of openings 10, one for each pocket, for displaying the signalling information 11 on the signal 12 as shown in Fig. 6. The signal 12 is shown merely for the purpose of illustration and may contain any designation similar to that shown at 11 according to any system of indexing which maybe desired, and there may be aseries of signals containing various characters or designations designed for useto signal certain facts with respect to the index system in a file, the one illustrated in Fig. 6 being mere- 1y an example of one form of signal foruse in this signal holder.

The free edge of the back portion 8 is formed with a bend 13 slightly beyond the free edge of the front portion 7 so that the marginal portion 14 of this back portion 8 This is for the purpose of bending the end of the signal12 forwardly when inserted in oneof the pockets in the holder as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5., sothat it may be al from the holder. This marginal portion 1a also serves, during the insertion of a signal into one or more of the pockets, to guide the end of the signal into the pocket and 1 that it frictionally engages between the front and rear portions 7 and 8 of the holder and is thereby effectively maintained in position during the handling of the file, against accidental displacemen I The end portions of the signal holder are not formed with pockets, but have the front and back portions 7 and 8 formed together as shown in Figs. '3 and llat 15, to provide lugs for engaging under. the flanges 2 of the panel 1, so that the signal holder may be readily retained in position in the panel. The beads 8 as shown in Fig. 4 engage the inner side of the front portion 7 for retaining this front portion in proper spaced relation from the back portion in forming the pockets for the signal.

In the use of signal holder of this character it is preferable to position it between in-- dex strips after the same are arranged in groups so that the holders form dividers between adjacent groups of index strips as shown in Fig. 1. There will be one signal holder for each group so that .in most cases a signal holder will occur at the top of each aanel as shown in Fig. 1 for signalling cooperation with thegroup of strips immediately below it, while the succeeding signal holders in the panel will have: signalling co-= operation with the group of index strips below it. p

In the use of this signal holder, each pocket corresponds .to one index strip of the group. There maybe lfewer index strips than there'iOO are pockets in the holder when desired, but it isnot desirable to use more index :stripsin any group than-there are pockets in the holder. A signal occurring in one of the pockets signals certain information with re- "1015 spect to a certain index strip in the group, and the characters on the signal displayed through the opening 10 will determine the information signalled according to some prearranged system of indexing of the well known character above referred to.

With this improved signal holder which occupies substantially the same amount. of space longitudinally ofthe panel as occupied by one of the index strips, it will be'seen that "1115 information may be carried therein relative to one or allof the strips in the group associatedtherewith. This information is dis-. played transversely of the panel and thereby occupies a relatively small space, at thesame time signalling information relative-to the entire group of. strips when desired. This invention makes for substantial improvement in this type of indexby using a minimum amount of space for signalling any desired information in respect to a substantially large group of strips. I What is claimed is:

-1. An index having in combinatioma supporting panel, a plurality of index .stripsarranged in said panel in groups, and signal holders arranged in said panel forming dividers between adjacent groups of index strips, each signal holder having a plurality of signal retaining devices arranged 1n spaced relation thereon and corresponding to each index strip of a group.

2. An index having in combination, a supporting panel, a plurality of index strips arranged in said panel in groups, and signal holders arranged in said panel forming dividers between adjacent groups of index strips, each signal holder having a plurality of signal receiving pockets corresponding to each index strip of a group.

3. A signal holder for indexes, comprising a strip member formed with a plurality of independent signal receiving pockets, and index panel engaging lugs on the ends of said strip member.

4. A signal holder for indexes, comprising a strip member having one edge portion overlying an adjacent portion in spaced relation, said strip member being formed to provide a plurality of signal receiving pockets, and means for attaching said strip member to an index panel.

5. A signal holder for indexes, comprising a folded strip member formed to provide a series of pockets between the folded portions opening at one side to receive index signals, and having one portion formed with a plurality of signal display openings. 7

THOMAS B. CLARK. 

